Shelter workers told authorities Perry got angry when they told her that the shelter was full and that they don't euthanize pets for owners. That's when the sheriff said the woman left the shelter and forced the dog into the trunk of the car.
Temperatures on Thursday were in the 90s at the time of the incident.
Ivey said when they tracked Perry down and assessed the dog, they found it was visibly emaciated and had not been cared for.
Ivey said the dog was taken into the care of the sheriff's animal care center where veterinarians said the dog was malnourished and in poor health.
Perry was arrested Thursday and charged with felony animal cruelty. Ivey said he personally walked Perry into the Brevard County Jail. He said such a crime "can only be attributed to someone who has zero compassion for animals and quite frankly shouldn't be allowed to own a plant let alone a pet."
Ivey used Perry's arrest as a warning to others.
"If you harm an animal in Brevard County, we'll put your butt straight in jail and do everything legally possible to make your life just as miserable as you made that pet's life," he said.
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